By Benji Chapman, Music Editor
Dot To Dot prides itself as a day festival that platforms artists who are successful within their respective musical niches, encouraging attendants not to stay within a certain area of the city for too long before moving to a new venue. This year, the lineup reflects its previous tendency to spotlight post-punk playmakers from the Speedy Wunderground scene with artists from further afield.
For a point of reference, in 2024 Dot To Dot closed out with a DJ set from The Dare at Thekla: at that point in time a little known revivalist of the Indie Sleaze genre.
Now he's supporting Charli XCX's Boiler Room performances, playing Coachella, and headlining Marble Factory in March 2025.
All this is to say that the festival offers a promising allure for catching artists before they go viral, and at a relatively affordable price point, especially considering post-pandemic financial pressures for the live music indutry.
The 20th instalment of the festival will take place in May and presents a headline boasting The Horrors, Fat Dog, SPRINTS, and 38 other up-and-comers.
The Horrors, who also play Strange Brew in December, are one of the older names on the lineup, having formed in 2005. With their blend of shoegaze and gothic-rock, the band will be playing off the heels of the scheduled release of their seventh album Night Life in March 2025.
Festival booker for Dot To Dot Conrad Rogan stated in conversation with Epigram: 'We are so excited to be announcing the Horrors are set to return to Dot To Dot Festival, following them topping the bill back in 2018.'
'This is a special addition to commemorate 20 years of the festival and our rich tradition of bringing festival goers to the very best emerging talent. This alongside critically acclaimed emerging bands Fat Dog and Sprints offers a glimpse into what D2D goers can expect for the May bank holiday weekend.'
Catching an artist fresh out of the studio is a surefire sign they're rejuvenated for a live setting, though Fat Dog's addition to the headline following extensive touring of 'WOOF' is equally promising for the newer post-punk outfit who have certainly earned their keep in recent months.
The band were most recently chosen as one of Radio 6 Music's artists of the year alongside Charli XCX, Little Simz, and Fontaines D.C. to name a few. With local performances at Strange Brew, Rough Trade, and now SWX they've made Bristol something of a home away from home during their rise to success in the post-punk genre.
Equal favourites in the Wunderground scene are Honeyglaze. After the release of their new record Real Deal, they feature as another artist on the bill who are emerging to a live stage after extensive time to reconsider their artistic direction in the studio.
Besides the more conventional offerings of post-punk the addition of artists like JD Cliffe add variety, a rapper who has carved a name for themselves in the North-West London scene. Another London-based act who differs from the general trend are the quartet oreglo, offering a style of jazz that stands in unique artistic singularity alongside Brixton's grime and drill sounds that influence them.
Whilst the recognisable names on Dot To Dot are standout, the beauty of the festival is taking a gamble on the smaller names. Another booker for Dot To Dot Scott Kennedy echoed this idea with the statement, 'Over the years, everyone from Dua Lipa to Sam Fender have played D2D, performing in all forms of intimate (often dingy) venues.'
'It's a really special festival and we are very proud to announce our 20th edition.' With more names to be revealed, the artists to be announced will only increase in variety and promise.
Featured Image: Wonderbee Public Relations£30 General release tickets are available for Dot To Dot's 20th anniversary now through alt tickets.
